Link: Researchers: Meta let 25 Facebook Pages run 4,100+ ads attacking Romania's pro-EU candidate and promoting far-right figures, with 199M+ views since August 2024 (Daniel Zuidijk/Bloomberg)

Meta Platforms Inc. was found to have allowed a network of Facebook pages to launch over 3,600 political ads targeting Romania’s pro-EU presidential candidate and supporting far-right ideologies. The campaign, linked to shared online infrastructure, spent up to €224,083 on ads, according to digital research groups Reset Tech and Check First.

The surprise victory of the pro-Russia candidate Calin Georgescu in Romania’s Nov. 24 presidential election led to intense scrutiny of social media’s impact on politics. Romanian authorities have subsequently focused on TikTok, citing its role in giving Georgescu undue exposure.

Romania’s top court voided the election results due to foreign interference, marking a historic decision. Declassified intelligence indicated potential coordination of Georgescu's campaign by foreign actors, prompting discussions about Russia’s involvement in destabilizing the vote.

Despite TikTok's central role in the controversy, the report highlights how Meta’s platforms were also utilized to disseminate polarizing content. This manipulation aimed at influencing voter behavior showcases the broader challenges of political disinformation on social media.

The report utilized Meta’s Ad Library to uncover the depths of the deceptive campaign, identifying numerous ads and fake pages managed centrally. These pages, lacking transparency, pushed narratives that exaggerated nationalist sentiments and disparaged opposing candidates.

Following the election cancellation, Romania’s pro-European factions commenced coalition talks to form a new government. With ongoing concerns about Russian interference in European politics, vigilance remains high among Romania's leadership.

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